DST - Platinum Jubilee celebrations

A round up of just a handful of the events held across RSCDS Branches and Groups to celebrate RSCDS Patron HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Waikato and Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand Branch

Waikato Bay Of Plenty Region of NZ Branch hosted a Queen's Birthday weekend school, in Whakatane 4-5 June 2022 Saturday and Sunday. Coinciding with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and N Z’s Queen’s Birthday holiday we held a most successful and happy 2 days of dancing and socialising and ‘after Ball’ parties for this event.

Superbly organised by Wayne and Shelley McConnel, 50 dancers attended classes in the local School’s gyms receiving lessons from 6 of the region’s teachers enhanced with live music from our band’s Wild Heather musicians. Lesson’s focus was for their class to perfect one formation which was then incorporated in a dance. Essential nourishment between classes and at the Ball was ably catered for by our Whakatane local dancers . Taking advantage of the ‘once in a lifetime’ 70th Royal Anniversary we upgraded our Ball to Platinum status with tiaras, pearls and an occasional wobbly crown adding to the enjoyment and sense of occasion. N Z Balls are renowned for their sumptuous suppers carried in on groaning trestle tables, which very properly included regal scones with cream and jam - though no marmalade sandwiches!

Comfortable accommodation in cabins at the local Holiday park facilitated late night parties - catch up opportunities spiced with jokes, singing of loved Scottish songs (we’re so far away!) and bothy ballads.

Our final event was a lively ceilidh at the local RSA club who fed all 50, then gave us use of the dance floor for ‘Come ye All’  Ceilidh dances that young and old can enjoy with hilarity, once again with the live music of a ‘come ye all band’ augmenting Wild Heather. These, interspersed with songs like Westering Home and For these are my Mountains (tears in the eyes) and poems like the wee cock sparra’. Monday morning and we drifted back to our homes, some 3 hrs away, brimming with Scottish tunes in our heads and happy memories of the pleasure of Scottish Country Dancing gatherings. All the more special for going ahead after Covid has hit our shores and we are cautiously regaining our dancing stamina.

Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles Branch

An event at Selkirk Rugby Club was held as part of the Jubilee celebrations. The weather was perfect and the young dancers just loved dancing to a very large crowd. Queen Patty enjoyed getting her photo taken with the children!

Sheffield Branch

RSCDS Sheffield held a Platinum Jubilee Dance on Saturday 4th June 2022.  The programme included dances with a regal or 70th anniversary connection such as "The Jubilee Jig", "Happy Returns", "The Royal Wedding", "The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh", "Anniversary Reel", and "Platinum Skies" to name but a few, with music by all the best bands. The hall was decorated, and we had a celebratory cake!  There was a great party atmosphere.

Belfast Branch

Members of Belfast Branch enjoyed a "Jubilee June" dance, with a dance program themed around the Platinum Jubilee.  Music was provided by the Alastair Scott Ceilidh Band, and it was a joy to be back on the floor dancing to a live band.  Some attendees dug out their tiaras especially for the occasion, and the supper even featured marmalade sandwiches!  During the evening a Branch Award was presented to Lyn Rankin, in recognition of her years of service and devotion to the Branch.

Edinburgh Branch

The Edinburgh Branch celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of our Royal Patron Her Majesty The Queen with two wonderful dancing events.

The sun shone for our outdoor summer dance on Saturday evening in the beautiful gardens of St Mary’s Cathedral. We were delighted to see dancers of all ages from near and far joining us - both old friends and new visitors to the City.  Our bunting was fluttering, flags were on display, and we were ready to party. The dancing programme included The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh along with The Jubilee Jig to mark the occasion, and lots of other popular, fun dances. Live music from Roddy Johnston and Seonaid Lynn drew everyone in; it kept us on our toes and the chill at bay as the sun started to set when our evening drew to a close.

Sunday saw us head north to Anstruther Harbour Festival where our Demonstration team gave a Platinum display at the Fisheries Museum. The team’s programme of dances, and the music from Iain MacPhail and his Scottish dance band, honoured HM The Queen. Two new dances and tunes composed to celebrate The Platinum Jubilee were premiered at this event. “Perpetua”, meaning “forever”, is a new strathspey devised by Elizabeth Harry with the tune “Brian’s Strathspey” specially written for it by Moira Reekie. Not satisfied with one new dance, Elizabeth and Moira devised a Jig and a new tune “The 70th Jubilee”. We hope the dances will remind future dancers of the Jubilee for many years to come.

Perth and Perthshire Branch

As part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in Scone, Perth & Perthshire Branch was asked to dance in the local park. The audience much enjoyed the display and the organisers 'loved seeing dancers of all ages joining in the final dance.'